The death of trust

The scientific community, too, must share some blame. Universities and researchers, once bastions of open inquiry and public good, have become increasingly entangled with commercial interests. A Stanford University study found that 98% of pharmaceutical research papers sponsored by drug companies reported that the drugs were effective, while only 79% of non-industry-sponsored studies reported positive results. The bias is obvious. When financial incentives dictate scientific outcomes, public trust erodes.

So how do we fix this? The solution must be broad and society-wide. Politicians must commit to transparency in public health decision-making and resist the temptation to use science as a political tool. Governments should establish independent oversight bodies to review health policies and counter misinformation with clear, consistent messaging. Universities must reaffirm their commitment to the public good by prioritising research integrity over commercial interests. Scientists must be willing to call out conflicts of interest in their fields and advocate for greater transparency in research funding. And pharmaceutical companies must rebuild credibility by demonstrating corporate responsibility-ensuring fair pricing, transparent trials, and ethical practices.

But the responsibility does not end with institutions. Communities must play their part in restoring faith in vaccination. Schools should incorporate robust health education that teaches the history of infectious diseases and the role vaccines have played in saving millions of lives. Social media companies, too, must be held accountable for allowing the spread of vaccine misinformation. And most importantly, individuals must engage with evidence-based information, resisting the temptation to fall for alarmist narratives and conspiracy theories.

The return of diseases like measles and whooping cough is not just a public health issue-it is a test of our collective ability to trust in reason, science, and the moral responsibility we hold to protect the most vulnerable. We stand at a crossroads. Either we let fear and misinformation dictate our future, or we reclaim the progress made by previous generations who knew firsthand the devastation of preventable disease. The choice is ours.